Baltimore Ravens TE Matt Furstenburg is likely to see plenty of playing time in the preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 8, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with TEs Dennis Pitta (hip) out for the season and Ed Dickson (hamstring) out at least a week. Furstenburg is hopeful of making the 53-man roster, but if not, he hopes to latch on elsewhere. "I've progressed a lot," Furstenburg said Wednesday, Aug. 7. "I'm just trying to learn the system, get in and do my thing. Just play fast, that's the biggest thing."

Baltimore Ravens TEs Billy Bajema, Alex Silvestro and Matt Furstenburg will be competing for the No. 3 tight end job during training camp. Bajema could have an edge in the competition because it is mostly a blocking role and he has experience as a blocker. The main factor as to who wins the job may come down to which player performs the best on special teams.